‘We gave them a bit too much respect’ – Ross

IT’S sometimes a strange place to be after a draw.

Ballyduff much more so than Lixnaw were caught between a couple of stools last Sunday evening.

They could be disappointed – after all they could have won, they maybe even should have won – but with a replay still to be won it was not the time for regrets and recriminations.

A fine needle to thread then for club chairman Liam Ross. Part of him had to be gutted his men didn’t finish the job when they had the chance, but at least as much of him if not more was just proud as punch at the performance his side had just put in.

“We were up four points and we made silly mistakes, but in fairness to Shane Conway, just a 19 year old, to level the game with that side-line cut in injury time was some feat so I suppose we would have taken the draw at that stage.

“Mike Conway had a goal chance afterwards and PJ [O’Gorman] made a great save to pull the ball off the line. We probably left victory slip and caused our own downfall by leaving Lixnaw back when we had them on the ropes.

“We always knew that it was going to be nip and tuck because they [Lixnaw] had lively forwards and I suppose our fellas chipped away, but credit to Lixnaw they are a young side and they kept chipping away too.

“It was like us last year against Kilmoyley when we started going for goals when we should have been taking our points. So Lixnaw were craftier and more patient and did the reverse, taking their points and it paid off.”

Pádraig Boyle was again in sensational form on the weekend, delivering 2-11 of his side’s 2-15 total.

“Sure you know what Podge is capable of,” Ross enthused

“He must be one of the best inter-county forwards we have of this or any generation once he is able to stick at it and stay injury free.

“Last year he was only after coming back from a cruciate the year before so that takes a lot of time to recuperate from. He is class act as everyone who loves hurling will tell you.

“But Lixnaw have Shane Conway who is a class act on the other side so it was a shoot-out between the two and that is the way the replay will probably be decided.”

The quality of the game and the efficiency of the referee, Limerick’s Johnny Murphy, was a big talking point post-match.

“As a contest it was a superb advertisement for Kerry hurling,” the chairman commented.

“I must great credit to the referee and he left the play flow. He was speaking to the players when the ball was on the ground and when you ask him a question he will tell you and you move.

“He gains the respect of the players from both sides and look that is what you want. I thought he was a major factor in the game being so entertaining.

“It was still physical, but that is what you want and I would say as a neutral it is want you want to see.”

As for next weekend’s tussle?

“I think there is more to come from us,” Ross said.

“I think we gave them a bit too much respect today when we were four up instead of driving on so. I think both sides will set out their stalls similar to what happened today and we will go hammer and tongs at it.

“Finals are there to be enjoyed and someone will win it, let’s hope it’s us.”